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"The year 2022 has been…a year of resilience and a testament to the power of collective action to effect positive change,” noted the report from the Unity and Welfare Committee of the Federation of Zoroastrian Associations of North America (FEZANA) presented at the annual general meeting (AGM) in Sacramento, California from April 28 to 30, 2023. According to the committee co-chairs Hosi Mehta, Houtoxi Contractor and Sanaya Master, during the year they were able to "collect approximately $ 277,000 (Rs 2.29 crore) and distribute close to $ 222,000 (Rs 1.84 crore) to those in need…
"Our efforts were focused on supporting individuals with pressing medical issues, unexpected hospital fees, families who lost their loved ones who were the primary providers, and those who were impacted by the economic downturn… including mobeds and families who had lost their jobs, homes and loved ones. We also supported other initiatives, such as raising funds for the Dadar Athornan Institute, the rescue and relocation operation for families in Afghanistan organized by Kayhan Irani, and providing assistance to PhD students facing financial crises.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

They were particularly appreciative of generous donors who had set up endowment funds in memory of their loved ones like the Hormazdiar Damkevala Welfare Endowment, Bhathena Family Endowment, Meherbanoo Bamasipour (Zardoshty) Endowment for women, Zarin N. Sarkari Critical Assistance Endowment, and Pheroze Dorabji Tamboli Welfare Endowment. "Looking ahead, we intend to launch an initiative recognizing and celebrating the amazing individuals in our community who spread joy, offered help, or performed acts of kindness in their communities. We are blessed to belong to a community that gives so willingly in service of those in need,” wrote the co-chairs. 
During 2022, amounts aggregating $ 603,127 (Rs 4.95 crore) were received as donations by FEZANA: Welfare and Critical Assistance (non-endowments) — $ 271,144 (Rs 2.23 crore); Academic Scholarship Endowments — $ 105,000 (Rs 86.20 lakh) mainly in additional contributions to existing endowments; surplus share from 2022 World Zoroastrian Congress — $ 102,200 (Rs 83.91 lakh); for the Dadar Athornan Institute — $ 43,440 (Rs 35.66 lakh).
FEZANA gives out over $ 85,000 (Rs 69.78 lakh) in various scholarships to students every year made possible by magnanimous donors when they set up endowments, according to the figures supplied by Ratan Mistry, chair — Fund and Finance Committee. Following the task force recommendations, henceforth the amount of donation for a scholarship in a specific name has increased to $ 100,000 (Rs 82.73 lakh). Another change introduced is that all graduate scholarships will be based on academic performance only as the "need” criterion has been eliminated since it is difficult to assess "needs” across different universities and programs. For undergraduates, the top five highest rankers in academics will be awarded scholarships and the remaining scholarships will be awarded on academic performance plus need, specified the report from the Scholarship Committee co-chairs Dr Dolly Dastoor and Dinsha Mistree.
FEZANA president Arzan Wadia urged member associations to contribute to the General Fund of FEZANA when sending their association annual dues. The General Fund balance that was $ 105,057 (Rs 86.75 lakh) on December 31, 2021 declined to (-)$ 70,706 (Rs 58.04 lakh) on December 31, 2022.
A loss of $ 129,875 (Rs1.06 crore) in the value of General Fund investments was attributed by Ratan Mistry to "the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the continuing effects of the global pandemic, rise in inflation, and the raising of interest rates by the Federal Reserve in its efforts to control inflation.” "The investments are managed as per the FEZANA Investment Policy Statement in a conservatively balanced portfolio allocation of 50% stocks, 40% bonds and 10% cash,” reported investment advisor Adil Masani. In a year when US and international stocks and bonds performed poorly, FEZANA investments have continued to perform better compared to the benchmark indices, he added.
On behalf of the FEZANA executive, it was vice president Ervad Kayomarz Sidhwa who liaised with the Sacramento Zoroastrian Association for the April AGM. As chair of the Coordination and Planning Committee he was also instrumental in coordinating and executing four quarterly meetings for FEZANA member associations, committees and corresponding members. His interactions with the Zoroastrian Association of Houston (ZAH) Atash Kadeh Committee and the North American Mobeds Council (NAMC) president  resulted in the NAMC AGM being planned in Houston in June 2023. Further, he will be assisting NAMC to plan and execute mobed training at the ZAH Atash Kadeh in July 2023. To protect the FEZANA executive board and its members from any future legal challenges/issues, including cyber liability, Sidhwa assisted in the renewal of the Directors/Officers Liability Insurance.
FEZANA secretary Cody Partovi urged all associations to provide their membership’s email contacts to improve FEZANA’s communication process.
The presence at the AGM of five of the eight past presidents of FEZANA — Rohinton Rivetna, Dr Dolly Dastoor, Bomi Patel, Katayun Kapadia, Homi Gandhi — who head different committees of FEZANA, ensures the organization continues to benefit from their experience and expertise.